As 2017 comes to a close, it’s become clear which brand drivers prefer. Honda has come out on top this year, with Kelley Blue Book declaring it the best non-luxury value brand of 2017. On top of that, the Honda CR-V has proven to be the crème de la crème of compact SUVs. Car and Driver named it the best compact SUV of 2017, and for good reason, too – it’s hard to beat the Honda CR-V’s blend of safety, affordability and design.

The Basics

Above all else, the Honda CR-V has got good bones. Drivers have a choice between the basic LX trim, which uses a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, and the EX, EX-L and Touring trims, which use a 1.5-liter turbo engine. Both engines are great choices, with the 2.4-liter producing 184 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, and the 1.5-liter producing 190 hp and 179 lb-ft of torque. The CR-V has excellent fuel economy for an SUV. The LX trim gets 27, 25 and 31 mpg for combined, city and highway driving, whereas the higher end trims get 30, 28 and 34 mpg. This is especially helpful if you plan on cramming your SUV full of family members or supplies for a road trip and want to spend as much time on the open road – and away from the gas station – as possible. Besides power, drivers can also trust in a barely noticeable continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that provides increased fuel efficiency over other transmission types. Honda’s steering and handling is also second-to-none, ensuring you navigate safely through traffic with total control.

Extra Space

Like with any SUV, drivers want tons of space for passengers and cargo. The Honda CR-V definitely delivers. Compared to previous models, the 2017 model adds more than 2 inches of extra legroom for backseat passengers, and it boasts either 39.2 or 75.7 cubic feet of cargo space depending on seat configuration. You can even adjust the floor height of the cargo area for either a flat surface or increased storage space. The CR-V makes accessing cargo easier than ever before. Both the EX-L and Touring trims offer a power liftgate. The Touring trim makes gaining access to your cargo space even easier with an innovative feature that requires nothing more than a simple motion of the driver’s foot to pop open the rear door, hands free!

Premiere Safety and Tech

The base LX trim is perfect for those looking for a vehicle with just the basics, but car buyers won’t regret upgrading to the EX for an even snazzier, more secure ride. For all the higher trim levels, Honda Sensing® technology protects passengers by preventing forward collisions, braking automatically if necessary, keeping the vehicle in its lane, alerting the driver when someone is in their blind spot, automatically adjusting cruise control to maintain a safe distance from other cars and warning drivers when someone passes behind them as they’re reversing. All CR-Vs also come with a rearview camera. Besides safety, the 2017 CR-V has seen some minor improvements to its technology. Passengers have access to a new 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system that comes equipped with Garmin navigation and works with both Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay™. Tech-savvy passengers will also find the rear USB ports helpful on longer road trips if they want to watch a movie on their tablet or do some extra work on their laptop. In the past, consumers have told Honda how much they miss using a classic volume knob for their favorite tunes. They will be happy to hear that in addition to all the new technological advances, the 2017 Honda CR-V has stepped back in time with a physical volume knob you can easily find when you have your eyes trained on the road.

Snazzy Appearance

The CR-V may be affordable, but it still looks like a million bucks! The reboot is significantly more appealing than its predecessors, with a sportier exterior that includes LED taillights. Even more impressive is the total overhaul of the CR-V’s interior design. Luxury enthusiasts and practical car shoppers alike will revel in the comfortable seating, improved dashboard design and increased storage options, like door pockets that can hold as much as a one-liter bottle of soda! Frequent drivers will also appreciate a calmer environment with improved noise reduction in the cabin area.

Find Your Dream Car at Honda of Seattle

If you’ve already taken the time to research the best vehicle for your needs, why not take it one step further and choose the dealership that requires the least amount of time and hassle? At Honda of Seattle, we understand how frustrating and time-consuming the vehicle buying process can be. That’s why we’ve chosen to eliminate unnecessary in-store time with our online Express Store. Choose a new or pre-owned Honda CR-V from our selection or customize your ideal car and we’ll find it for you. You can pay entirely online by cash, finance or lease, then elect to have your vehicle delivered right to your door or picked up in-person. With any new vehicle, you automatically get 2 years of complimentary oil changes and a 7 year/100,000 mile Limited Powertrain Warranty with Roadside Assistance. To get started, call us at 206-382-8800 or look through our Express Store today!